Diabetes mellitus and oral lichen planus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To undertake a meta-analysis of the association of Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) with diabetes, two diseases with an important impact on public health and the economy, but the evidence of which about their association is inconsistent. Methods: Relevant studies were localized by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Conference Proceedings, and other databases from inception to October 2020, without restrictions. The reference lists of included studies and of related reviews were also inspected. Global pooled odds ratios were calculated, and predefined subgroup analyses were performed. The heterogeneity between studies and publication bias was assessed and sensitivity analysis was carried out. Results: Thirty-two studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled ORs showed a moderate association between diabetes and OLP [OR: 1.87 (95%CI: 1.57, 2.34)]. The association is limited to studies carried out on adults only [OR: 2.12 (95%CI: 1.75, 2.57)] and is observed in all study designs. Globally, the heterogeneity was low to moderate. Studies carried out in European populations show a stronger association of diabetes and OLP than Asiatic studies [OR: 2.49 (95%CI: 1.87, 3.32) and 1.60 (95%CI: 1.25, 2.03), respectively]. Conclusions: Diabetes and OLP are moderately associated. Systematic diagnosis of diabetes in OLP patients could prove usefulS

Non-standard errors

In statistics, samples are drawn from a population in a data-generating process (DGP). Standard errors measure the uncertainty in estimates of population parameters. In science, evidence is generated to test hypotheses in an evidence generating process (EGP). We claim that EGP variation across researchers adds uncertainty: Non-standard errors (NSEs). We study NSEs by letting 164 teams test the same hypotheses on the same data. NSEs turn out to be sizable, but smaller for better reproducible or higher rated research. Adding peer-review stages reduces NSEs. We further find that this type of uncertainty is underestimated by participants

Fungal rhino sinusitisin in tehran, iran

Contains fulltext : 155327.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Fungal rhino sinusitis (FRS) is an important infection of para nasal sinuses, which encompasses two main categories; invasive and noninvasive forms according to histopathological findings. Aspergillus spp are the most common species isolated from noninvasive form, while Mucorales are more frequently isolates from acute infections. METHODS: Four hundred fifty patients suspected to fungal rhino sinusitis were investigated in a cross-sectional prospective study from June 2009 to Sep 2013. All patients under went endoscopic sinus surgery of the middle meatus. Tissue biopsies were investigated for culture, histopathology and molecular examination. RESULTS: Totally, 87 patients were diagnosed with fungal rhinosinusitis. A. flavus was the most common etiological agent of chronic invasive form (CIFRS), allergic fungal rhino sinusitis (AFRS) and fungus ball (FB), while Rhizopus oryze (26.7%) was the most common cause of infection in acute invasive fungal rhino sinusitis (AIFR). However, a few rare species such as Shyzophyllum commune and Fusarium proliferatum were also isolated. CONCLUSION: Diabetes is the most important predisposing factor for patients with acute invasive form of sinusitis and the most involved sinuses were unilateral multiple sinuses and maxillary sinus

Design and Validation of Virtual Social Networks of Iran’s Schools

Background and Objective: The opportunity to participate and interact more in the learning process on social media is a good incentive to use alternative social media tools, in addition to the usual LMS. In contrast, when using Web 2.0 tools such as social media, the learner is placed in a learning community that can reach a high level of meaning making and knowledge/skill building through interaction with peers and content. Communication formed on social networks provides the basis for the implementation of communication and defines education in terms of interactions in a network in which students exchange their knowledge; Therefore, social media represents a good option to be used as an additional learning resource. Hence, the creation and development of a scientific and trusted social network that can cover the educational needs of the learners and teachers in a digital society and is always available to users is felt. On the other hand, the legal requirements of higher documents such as the 1/17 solution of Fundamental Document of Change of Education that states the filling of the digital divide between educational areas and schools, unveils the need to create a social network of Iranian schools as a suitable platform for key users of learning-teaching environment. Therefore, in order to design a virtual social network model in schools, it is necessary to identify the main and sub-components of this model. The purpose of this study was to compile a model for desiging a virtual social network for Iranian schools. Methods This reseach utilized a mixed– quantitative and qualitative – method, and it was carried out with an exploratory design. The study population in the qualitative phase included the accessible 45 written and electronic documents in English and Persian selected by using purposive sampling. Data collection and analysis were done using inductive content analysis method. The quantitative phase was performed using a survey. The study population included the educational technology specialists of Iran from which a sample of 30 educational technology professors and Ph.D. Candidates were selected on an accessible basis. To collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire was used, the validity and reliability of which was determined by professional assessment and by Cronbach’s alpha (0.86), respectively. To analyze the data, a single-sample t-test was employed. Findings: The findings of the study led to the identification of four main features: network learning, network facilitation, network moderation, network technology, as well as sixteen sub-features, which were functionally and semantically similar to the main features. The results also showed that the extracted model has a high internal validity. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, integrating the existing social netwroks into the present LMSs as a learning environemtn can support network learning in alignment with cultural-constructivism and communicativism. In this context, it defines the active roles in the learning environment in accordance with their functions in this era. Regarding the results of the research hypothesis, it can be concluded that, the extracted model, which includes components such as network learning, network facilitation, network management, and network technology, makes it possible to support student learning in the context of network technology. These components make it possible to implement model patterns in schools. The clear and distinct definitions of the components lead to an accurate understanding of the users and their comprehensiveness. Therefore, the model in question was valid from the point of view of experts who had practical knowledge about the use of social networks in learning.   ===================================================================================== COPYRIGHTS  ©2019 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.  ====================================================================================

Effect of salicylic acid foliar application on Vitis vinifera L. cv. 'Sultana’ under salinity stress

The current survey aimed to study the effect of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) application on salinity stress of grapevine cv. ’Sultana’. The leaves of hydroponically cultivated grapes that were under 0, 75 and 150 mM salinity conditions treated with 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM SA and after two weeks, the factors such as Na+, K+, proline and MDA contents, leaf electrolyte leakage and enzymatic activities were measured. The results showed that all SA treatments were significantly effective at tolerance enhancement by reduction in Na+/K+ ratio, leaf electrolyte leakage, MDA and H2O2 values and promotion in proline content and the enzymatic activities (POD, APX, CAT and SOD) of grapes. These results indicated that SA application at salinity condition could be applied as a promising method for increasing the salinity tolerance of ‘Sultana’ grapes

Fungal rhino sinusitisin in tehran, iran

BACKGROUND: Fungal rhino sinusitis (FRS) is an important infection of para nasal sinuses, which encompasses two main categories; invasive and noninvasive forms according to histopathological findings. Aspergillus spp are the most common species isolated from noninvasive form, while Mucorales are more frequently isolates from acute infections. METHODS: Four hundred fifty patients suspected to fungal rhino sinusitis were investigated in a cross-sectional prospective study from June 2009 to Sep 2013. All patients under went endoscopic sinus surgery of the middle meatus. Tissue biopsies were investigated for culture, histopathology and molecular examination. Results : Totally, 87 patients were diagnosed with fungal rhinosinusitis. A. flavus was the most common etiological agent of chronic invasive form (CIFRS), allergic fungal rhino sinusitis (AFRS) and fungus ball (FB), while Rhizopus oryze (26.7%) was the most common cause of infection in acute invasive fungal rhino sinusitis (AIFR). However, a few rare species such as Shyzophyllum commune and Fusarium proliferatum were also isolated. CONCLUSION: Diabetes is the most important predisposing factor for patients with acute invasive form of sinusitis and the most involved sinuses were unilateral multiple sinuses and maxillary sinus

CMCS: a cross-layer mobility-aware MAC protocol for cognitive radio sensor networks

Cognitive radio sensor networks (CRSNs) are multi-channel-capable networks that inherit some of the challenges of traditional wireless sensor networks (WSNs), such as limited power source and hardware capacity. In several CRSN applications, such as surveillance and intelligent transportation systems, node mobility is a typical assumption. However, as a node changes its physical location, spectrum mobility may also follow. Therefore, the treating of node mobility in CRSN imposes new challenges on all network layers, especially in the data link layer. In this paper, we propose a novel cross-layer mobility-aware medium access control (MAC) protocol for CRSN. We also propose an efficient spectrum-aware cluster formation and maintenance. The proposed scheme is more robust against primary users’ activity as well as node mobility in a CRSN because it integrates spectrum sensing at the physical (PHY) layer with packet scheduling at the MAC layer. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol guarantees about 60 % more common channels per cluster in a higher node ratio. Moreover, the proposed MAC protocol outperforms existing protocols (e.g., CogMesh, cluster-based MAC, and KoN-MAC) in terms of the packet delivery ratio, energy consumption, and delay, by up to 5, 30, and 25 %, respectively

Proximal onychomycosis due to Malassezia furfur: a case report

Background: The etiologic role of Malassezia furfur in onychomycosis, because of its controversial keratinolytic ability, has not been proven. The most reported cases are distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO). In our knowledge no cases of proximal onychomycosis (PO) has been reported. For the first time we report proximal onychomycosis. This case report describes the isolation of Malassezia furfur from fingernails. Case presentation: An Iranian 56- year- old women had been referred to mycology lab with hyperkeratosis in proximal regions of right hand nails and clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis without paronychia in May 2012. She used several medicines for her cardiac disease, mental illness, severe stress and blood glucose fluctuation diseases. Scraping and sampling from nail lesions were done, budding yeast cells with broadband connections were observed in 15% KOH wet mounts. Also, other differentiation tests, consist of staining with methylen blue, cultures and biochemical tests were done. In order to rejecting the probable etiologic role of any dermatophytic or non-dermatophytic fungi in this case, samples were collected from other parts of the body by scotch tape and scraping with scalpel blade too, but the results of direct microscopy and culture were negative. Finally, Malassezia furfur was identified as the causative agent of onychomycosis.Conclusion: Despite failure to prove Malassezia furfur keratinolytic ability, it can be the etiologic agent of proximal onychomycosis that shows the aggressive properties of this species. Its clinical importance is the easier transmission to hospitalized patients and other people

Modem design for underwater acoustic networks: Taxonomy, capabilities, challenges, applications and future trends

In underwater acoustic networks (UANs), an acoustic modem is one of the key elements that governs underwater communications. The major demerit of the existing surveys conducted on acoustic modems is that such surveys do not comprise of the novel and state-of-the-art modems. In addition, the described characteristics do not specify the full potential and capabilities of the designed modems. This, in consequence, makes it difficult to identify the parameters for improvement in future investigation. Also, it does not provide the optimal choice of a modem for various underwater applications. To overcome these challenges, this paper considers the latest acoustic modems designed in the last five years. Further, the modems are classified in terms of their suitability for the various applications, which helps the selection of the appropriate modem for a particular application scenario. Furthermore, the specification of every modem is described in a manner so that it is completely analyzed in highlighting its promising performance parameters as well exposing its region of compromised performance. Besides, acoustic modems developed by commercial manufacturers are also described. These strategies help researchers, scientists and engineers to compare to opt for the right modem for the right application. They also provide knowledge of the margin for improvement in the characteristics of these modems. Finally, perspectives are given for future investigation to make these modems more efficient, robust, smart and effective